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Pakistan Dismisses Media Allegations About Iran

Pakistan on Sunday asked its media to avoid linking the arrest of an alleged Indian spy with Iran, days after Tehran warned that it could have "negative implications" on bilateral ties.

"Iran has nothing to do with the activities of Indian intelligence network. Pakistan and Iran are tied through decades-long religious, social, cultural and political bonds, and nothing can come in the way of our relations," Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan told media in Islamabad, the Economic Times reported.

Khan said media should be cautious while reporting on Pakistan-Iran "brotherly" relations.

"Our ties with Iran are by no means linked with the arrest of an Indian spy," he said.

Khan said the recent visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Pakistan was quite "productive but an impression was being given that Iran was involved in certain activities against Pakistan."

The Iranian authorities, he said, had expressed their concern over news proliferating in a certain section of the media portraying Iran in a negative manner, despite the very positive visit of the Iranian president.

The minister also mentioned his meeting with Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost, saying the two sides expressed satisfaction over President Rouhani's visit.

"Honardoost assured that Iran would extend full cooperation on all issues that ensured security and development of the two countries," he said.

The Pakistani minister said "some vested interests" wanted to harm the positive and historic ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Negative Implications

The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad issued a terse statement after several media outlets hinted that Tehran might have knowledge about Kulbhushan Yadav who was reportedly arrested by Pakistani authorities in Balochistan after he entered from Iran.

"During past days, some sections of Pakistani media spread contents regarding detention of an Indian agent and the matter related to it, which could have negative implications on the fraternal and friendly atmosphere of Iran and Pakistan," the embassy warned.

Kulbhushan has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country.

Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Yadav, who said he was a serving Indian Navy officer.

In the video, Yadav said he arrived in Iran in 2003 and started a small business in Chabahar.

India has acknowledged Yadav was a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government.